Identification of several common plastics

1. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Appearance: Translucent to opaque, flexible, flexible.

Flammability: Non-flammable. There is a pungent odor (HF) in hot conditions.

2. Polyamide (PA)

Appearance: Translucent to opaque.

Flammability: Flame retardant, extinguishes immediately after leaving the flame. When burning in the flame, there is blue smoke, the upper end is orange; there is melting, dripping, blistering; can smell the burnt smell of wool.

3. Polycarbonate (PC)

Appearance: transparent to opaque, hard.

Flammability: Flame retardant. Burning black smoke in the flame, bright, charring, blistering; can smell the smell of phenol.

4. Phenolic resin (PF)

Appearance: (usually containing filler) Dark color.

Flammability: Flame retardant. A bright yellow flame can be seen burning in the flames. There is more smoke, cracking, and darkening.

5. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Appearance: (with polycarbonate)

Flammability: Flame retardant. In the flame, it burns yellow, and the edges of the flame are green and white smoke; there is softening. Can smell the smell of burnt.

6. Amino resin (UF urea/formaldehyde; MF melamine/formaldehyde)

Appearance: (with filler) Hard.

Flammability: Flame retardant. Burning in the flame is bright yellow; there are charring, swelling, cracking phenomenon. Can smell ammonia, formaldehyde, fish smell.

7. Polyethylene (PE)

Appearance: Translucent to opaque, hard; transparent film.

Flammability: Combustible in the flame, slowly extinguishes after leaving the flame or continues to burn. When burning, the upper end of the flame is yellow and the lower end is blue; there is a phenomenon of melting and dripping. Can smell the smell of paraffin.

8. Polypropylene (PP)

(appearance and flammability with polyethylene)

9. Polyurethane (PUR)

Appearance: Translucent to opaque, filled, hard.

Flammability: (with polyethylene) flame is yellow, blue edges, yellow transparent foam, drop phenomenon. Smells (isocyanate) can be smelled.

10. Polystyrene (PS)

Appearance: transparent to opaque, hard.

Flammability: Flammable, leaving the flame to continue burning. It is orange-yellow, flashing, and dense black smoke when burning; it has softening and blistering. Can smell the aroma.

11. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, Perspex)

Appearance: transparent, hard.

Flammability: (with polystyrene) Light blue, bright and white at the top when burned; melting, blistering. Fruit scent can be smelled.

12. Polyester resin (PET)

Appearance: transparent sheet and so on.

Flammability: (with polystyrene) The flame is yellow, black smoke; slight swelling, sometimes cracking. Smell of styrene